Packaging Article With Visual Display Portion

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a package having “blister” of polymeric material for displaying a product in combination with a backing material, as well as methods for manufacturing the same.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/144,638, filed Jan. 14, 2009, the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of product packaging, and moreparticularly to a packaging article having a visual display portionwherein the packaged product is visible when packaged within thepackaging article—such as a “blister” of polymeric material incombination with a backing material, as well as methods formanufacturing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Product packaging serves a number of different functions, including:protecting the packaged product from accidental damage, attractivelydisplaying the packaged product for potential customers, and preventingtheft or tampering of the packaged product. In addition, it is desirablefor a packaging article to be as inexpensive and efficient tomanufacture as possible, and to provide a minimum amount of waste. Onearea of particular interest is that of packaging involving a cardboardor paper backing from the front of which a clear or translucent top,sheath or pocket-like member protrudes for displaying the producttherein. These types of packaging are commonly referred to as “blister”or “bubble” packages.

There are numerous examples of blister or bubble packages in the art.For example, blister or bubble packages have been described for use inpharmaceutical or drug delivery applications. They have also been usedin the packaging of household goods, tools and any other applications inwhich it may be useful for the consumer to see and/or to evaluate thedesirability or suitability of the product before purchasing.

Generally, the packages and methods described in the art comprise afront portion or “blister” that is transparent and formed of pliablethermoplastic material via thermoform and/or vacuum methods. Suchmethods are generally expensive, as they require custom-made molds andcavities to manufacture the desired blisters and packages, and alsorequire the input of a great deal of energy in the manufacturingprocesses (i.e., heating up the materials followed by molding them intodesired form). Moreover, there are disadvantages to such methods; forexample, energy and production costs are high for the above reasons.

In addition, when there is a commercial need to print on the surface ofthe blisters (for example, printed instructions for use, user warnings,names, graphics and the like), it is difficult to display anything onthe surface of the thermoplastic materials, as the melting and heatingsteps often result in distortion of the printed matter or graphics. As aresult, with the blister packages known in the art, it is oftennecessary to print any required information or graphics onto labels thatare then adhered to the packages. This can add significantly to thecost.

Thus, a need remains for a product packaging combination or article thatis easy and inexpensive to manufacture, requiring a minimum number ofsteps, and that provides for a desirable display of the product to besold without waste of materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a packagingarticle comprising a blister formed of transparent or translucentpolymeric material attached to a backing material.

In various embodiments, the polymeric material may be transparent ortranslucent, and in various embodiments, the backing material comprisingplastic or other polymeric material, paper or a paper product such asposter board, cardboard or cardstock.

In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method offorming a packaging article, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) cutting a predetermined shape out of a sheet of transparent ortranslucent polymeric material;

(b) scoring, creasing or folding the material to form athree-dimensional blister having an open end, at least one outer edgeand at least one outer rim on the at least one outer edge;

(c) cutting a piece of backing material into a predetermined shape;

(d) folding the piece of backing material to provide a top folded layerand a bottom folded layer;

(e) cutting a hole or opening into the top folded layer; and

(f) attaching the at least one outer rim to the top folded layer or thebottom folded layer.

In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method offorming a packaging article, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) cutting a predetermined shape out of a sheet of transparent ortranslucent polymeric material;

(b) scoring, creasing or folding the material to form athree-dimensional blister having an open end, at least one outer edgeand at least one outer rim on the at least one outer edge;

(c) obtaining a first sheet of backing material and a second sheet ofbacking material;

(d) cutting a hole or opening into the first sheet;

(f) inserting the blister into the hole or opening; and

(g) sandwiching the blister between the first sheet and the second sheetby engaging the at least one outer rim between the first sheet or thesecond sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a packaging combination according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, as seen from a side.

FIG. 2 shows another packaging combination according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention,showing an example of a product that can be packaged according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention,minus the product packaged within.

FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention,wherein the top folded layer and bottom folded layer are made of asingle panel of paper, cardboard or cardstock folded in half at itscenter.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a blister according to one embodiment of thepresent invention, as it has just been cut from a sheet of polymericmaterial and before it is forced into a three-dimensional blisterconfiguration.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a blister according to another embodiment of thepresent invention, as it has just been cut from a sheet of polymericmaterial and before it is forced into a three-dimensional blisterconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a packagingarticle comprising a blister formed of polymeric material and a backingmaterial. In various embodiments, the polymeric material is transparentor translucent. As used herein, “transparent” means that light can passcompletely through the polymeric material, such that upon viewing thepolymeric material, one can see substantially completely with the nakedeye what is packaged within it. As used herein, “translucent” means thatlight can pass only diffusely through the polymeric material, such thatone can see less than substantially completely with the naked eye whatis packaged within it.

In various embodiments, the backing material is made of a polymericmaterial such as plastic, or is made of paper or a heavy paper productsuch as poster board, cardboard or cardstock. In various embodiments,the backing material may comprise, or may be coated at least in part orin the entirety of one side, or in the entirety of both sides withmaterial that is water repellent or adhesive, including material that isselectively adhesive, such as when heat, pressure or moisture-activated.

In various embodiments, the backing material comprises a first sheet anda second sheet, wherein the first sheet contains a hole or opening, overor through which the blister is inserted or attached to provide a spaceor pocket for the product to be packaged within.

In other embodiments, the entire backing material comprises a singlesheet of this backing material, which is then folded to produce a topfolded layer and bottom folded layer, the top layer wherein the firstsheet is the top folded layer, and wherein the second sheet is thebottom folded layer. In such an embodiment, the top folded layercontains a hole or opening, over or through which the blister isinserted or attached to provide the space or pocket for the product tobe packaged within.

In certain embodiments, the backing material is folded substantially inhalf, or if not in half, at least sufficient to provide portions to formthe top folded layer and bottom folded layer. Additionally, in someembodiments the first sheet and the second sheet may be made ofdifferent materials; or in the case of a single sheet of backingmaterial, such single sheet may be partially made of one material suchas plastic, and partially made of another material, such as paper,cardboard or cardstock. In certain embodiments, the backing material maybe folded such that at least a portion of the top folded layer and/orthe bottom folded layer comprises plastic or paper or cardboard.

As used throughout the present disclosure, the terms “top folded layer”and “bottom folded layer” or “first sheet” and “second sheet” will beused to refer to the various embodiments wherein the backing material iseither in, respectively: (1) two separate sheets that are attachedtogether; or (2) one sheet that is folded in half. The present inventioncontemplates all embodiments that include any of these configurations.

In various embodiments, the blister is comprised of polymeric material,e.g., plastic such as, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) orpolyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene such as highdensity polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE) or anyother polymeric material that is capable of being cut from a sheet,scored and folded into shape having at least one corner and an outer rimon at least one edge of the blister. In certain embodiments, the blisteris transparent, translucent, or can be characterized in any othersimilar manner, such that a prospective consumer can easily see theproduct intended to be sold that is packaged within the space or pocketcreated by the blister. In certain embodiments, the polymeric materialmay be colorless or may be colored.

It is important to note that as used throughout the present disclosure,the term “blister” refers generally to any three-dimensional shapecomprising a polymeric material that provides a space, hole or pocketfor displaying a product within in conjunction with the backing A“blister” may also be referred to, and understood to mean the same as,terms such as a “lid,” a “top,” a “cover,” a “display portion,” or a“protrusion” and may be of any size and any dimensions.

In various embodiments of the package, at least one edge of the blistercomprises at least one outer edge, which may in turn comprise an outerrim. This outer edge and/or outer rim allow the blister to be attachedto the backing material. For example, it may be either: (1) adhered tothe top of the hole or opening, by affixing the outer rim to the outeredge of the hole or opening to extend outwardly from the backingmaterial; or (2) pushed through an opening in the backing to protrudeoutwardly from the backing material, that is, “trapped” or “sandwiched”between the top folded layer and bottom folded layer such that, in someembodiments, a face of the outer rim is affixed to the back side of thetop folded layer or first sheet, along the inner edge of the hole oropening. This second embodiment is shown in FIG. 1, where the outer rim1 of the blister 2 is sandwiched between the top folded layer 3 and thebottom folded layer 4. In an alternative embodiment wherein the backingmaterial comprises two sheets, the top folded layer 3 of FIG. 1 wouldcorrespond to the first sheet, and the bottom folded layer 4 of FIG. 1would correspond to the second sheet. The top folded layer 3 and thebottom folded layer 4 are demonstrated in FIG. 5, which shows the topview of another embodiment of the present invention.

In various embodiments, the blister 2 has a multi-sided shape (i.e., twoor more sides or faces) and the outer rim 1 exists on one or more, orall, of the edges of the blister. The outer rim 1 has a top face 8 and abottom face 9. As shown, for example, in FIG. 2, the outer rim 1 may bepresent but would not be visible to the naked eye from a side view ofthe packaging article of the present invention, since it is sandwichedbeneath the top folded layer or first sheet. In certain embodiments, theouter rim may have any of the adhesive materials discussed herein oneither its top face (adhering it to the top folded layer or firstsheet), or its bottom face (adhering it to the bottom folded layer orsecond sheet), or any combination thereof

In an alternative example, the blister may be attached to the top foldedlayer or first sheet, by attaching the bottom face of the outer rim tothe area immediately adjacent to the hole or opening 10, and thereforethe outer rim would be visible to a potential customer.

In various embodiments, the blister may also be of a generally circularor disk-like configuration possessing only one top face and a generallycircular pseudo-single side face, and having a plurality of outer rims1. In various embodiments, the outer rim may exist on a portion of theside of the blister.

In various embodiments, the blister is of a predetermined size and shapeand is punched out of a flat sheet of the polymeric material, and thenscored or creased either by hand or machine. The blister is then forcedin a three dimensional configuration; that is, in various embodiments itis folded along its scored, marked or creased edges either by hand ormachine, to provide a blister having an open end forming a space orpocket, which is then ready to be inserted into the backing material viathe hole or opening created therein that fits the blister.

In various embodiments, the blister is adhered to the backing materialthrough mechanical or chemical means, for example, by heat sealing,moisture sealing or pressure sealing, or sealing via adhesive materialssuch as glue, paste, gum, adhesive films, adhesive tape, stitching orthe like.

In various embodiments, the blister in its final form in the package maybe of any three-dimensional shape that has at least one corner, or ofany three-dimensional shape that has at least two faces that defineseparate planes—that is, they are at an angle to each other of greaterthan zero. In certain embodiments, the shape comprises at least onecorner that is about 90 degrees. In various embodiments, the shapecomprises at least one corner of greater than about 90 degrees, or lessthan about 90 degrees. In various embodiments, the shape comprises atleast one corner that is about 85 to about 95 degrees, about 86 degreesto about 94 agrees, about 87 to about 93 degrees, about 88 to about 92degrees or about 89 to about 91 degrees.

In other embodiments, the blister in its final form may have asubstantially curved surface, for example, a half-sphere orhalf-spheroid, a half-obloid or a half-ovoid, or any portion of a shapethat protrudes outward in a substantially curved manner. In suchembodiments, the surface of the blister that protrudes from the hole inthe top folded layer has no corners at all

The shape of the blister may be either symmetrical or asymmetrical.Various examples of useful blister shapes are five-sided shapes such asthree dimensionally cubic or cuboid or rectangular or quadrilateralshapes (as seen in, for example, FIG. 1), for example, threedimensionally trapezoidal shapes (as seen in, for example, in FIG. 2);as well as asymmetrical shapes that are formed to conform with the shapeor size of the product to be displayed within, e.g., cosmetics, toys,electronics or associated accessories, or playing cards (as seen, forexample, in FIG. 3) or to simulate logos or designs such as animals,flowers or the like, or other regular or irregular three-dimensionalshapes that are contemplated within the disclosure of the presentinvention and that comprise at least two or more flat faces that are atan angle to each other of greater than zero.

In various embodiments, the blister in the package will be a generalthree dimensionally rectangular shape, such as that seen in FIG. 1, andwill have dimensions of about 2 to about 3 inches height, about 3 toabout 4 inches width and about 1 to about 2 inches depth (protrusionfrom the backing material). Of course these dimensions may be varied toup to about 3 inches in either direction within the spirit and scope ofthe present invention. In other embodiments, a packaging article of thepresent invention will provide a backing material supporting more thanone blister, as the specific commercial need may require. In the finalpackaging article, the backing material may be generally rectangular,and may have a height greater than its width, as depicted in theFigures, or may have a width greater than its height (as in a“landscape” configuration). The packaging article may further comprise ahook or hole for ease of display such as hanging. In certainembodiments, the package may comprise a separate hang tag for suchpurposes.

The at least one edge of the blister may, in certain embodiments,comprise at least one outer rim. In various embodiments, the outer rim 1extends away from the edge in a length of about 0.25 cm to about 2.5 cm,about 0.5 cm to about 2 cm, about 0.75 cm to about 1.75 cm, about 1 cmto about 1.5 cm, about 1 cm, about 1.25 cm, about 1.5 cm or about 1.75cm. The length of the outer edge's extension past the dimensions of thehole in the top folded layer should be of a length sufficient to attachthe edge to the backing material such that the blister will not easilyseparate from the backing material. In the embodiments wherein theblister is inserted such that it protrudes outward from between the topfolded layer (or first sheet) and bottom folded layer (or second sheet),the one or more outer rims serve as a mechanism to trap the blistersnugly within its desired configuration, without slipping out andseparating from the backing In various embodiments, the top face of therim (item 8 in FIG. 1) touches the top folded layer or first sheet. Inother embodiments, the bottom face of the rim (item 9 in FIG. 1) touchesthe bottom folded layer or second sheet. In certain embodiments,adhesive may be applied to one or both of the top face of the rim andthe bottom face of the rim, and any combination of any of the means forattachment described herein may be present on either face of the rim.

In the embodiments wherein the blister is attached to the top of the topfolded layer (or first sheet), the outer rim is not engaged between thetop folded layer (or first sheet) and bottom folded layer (or secondsheet)—rather, it is adhered to the outer perimeter of the hole oropening. For example, in certain embodiments, the bottom face of the rimmay have adhesive on it, be attached to the area on the top folded layeror first sheet that borders the hole or opening, and upon purchase, thecustomer can merely detach the blister from the backing, leaving the topfolded layer (or first sheet) and bottom folded layer (or second sheet)attached to each other.

In certain embodiments, when the top folded layer (or top sheet) andbottom folded layer (or bottom sheet) are adhered together (generally bymechanical or chemical means, for example, by heat sealing, moisturesealing or pressure sealing, or sealing via adhesive materials such asglue, paste, gum, adhesive films, adhesive gels, adhesive tape or thelike), in the absence of a product within, a user may see through thetransparent or translucent portion of the blister straight through tothe bottom folded layer (or second sheet) within (as shown, for example,in FIG. 4). In other embodiments, an additional backing layer may bepresent along the open portion of the blister, such that when the finalpackage is displayed, a customer will see the additional layer throughthe translucent portion of the blister. This additional backing layermay be, in certain embodiments, decorative, e.g., exhibiting a patternor color or the like, in any manner that makes the package attractive tocustomers or conveys additional information about the product, such as,e.g., with printed information. In various embodiments, there may be noadditional backing layer present, but the bottom folded layer itself mayexhibit the pattern or color or the like when viewed through theblister. In other embodiments, this additional backing layer may be madeof either a reinforcing material, further safeguarding or preserving theproduct contained within the packaging article (such as any of thematerials discussed herein. For example, the additional backing layermay comprise foil, a harder material that preserves the product fromeasily being ripped out of the packaging article or damaged in transit.

In various embodiments, any portion of the backing material may exhibitprinted or embossed information, e.g., information descriptive of theproduct to be displayed therein or instructions regarding the intendeduse of the product, identifying the origin of the product and themanufacturer, or product specifications; as well as logos, artwork andthe like. In various embodiments, any portion of either the backingmaterial or the blister itself may include either a portion of materialthat allows the customer to feel the texture of the material, or incertain embodiments, the blister may itself have an opening throughwhich the customer can touch the product packaged within, for example,to feel its texture.

In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method offorming a package, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) cutting a predetermined shape out of a sheet of transparent ortranslucent polymeric material;

(b) scoring, creasing, marking or folding the material to form athree-dimensional blister having an open end, at least one outer edgeand at least one outer rim on the at least one outer edge;

(c) cutting a piece of backing material into a predetermined shape;

(d) folding the piece of backing material to provide a top folded layerand a bottom folded layer;

(e) cutting a hole or opening into the top folded layer;

(f) inserting the blister into the hole or opening; and

(g) attaching the at least one outer rim to the top folded layer orbottom folded layer.

In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method offorming a packaging article, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) cutting a predetermined shape out of a sheet of transparent ortranslucent polymeric material;

(b) scoring, creasing or folding the material to form athree-dimensional blister having an open end, at least one outer edgeand at least one outer rim on the at least one outer edge;

(c) obtaining a first sheet of backing material and a second sheet ofbacking material;

(d) cutting or punching a hole or opening into the first sheet;

(f) inserting the blister into the hole or opening; and

(g) sandwiching the blister between the first sheet and the second sheetby engaging the at least one outer rim between the first sheet or thesecond sheet.

As used herein, “sandwiching” refers to trapping, as between layers. Inany of the embodiments shown herein, the outer rim may be attached toeither the first sheet or the second sheet (or the top folded layer orbottom folded layer, as the case may be). If attached to the firstsheet, the outer rim may be attached to the first sheet on its face thatfaces the second sheet, or on top of the first sheet (such that a usermay easily remove it off the top of the first sheet after purchasing. Ifattached to the second sheet, the outer rim will be sandwiched betweenthe first sheet and the second sheet.

In its simplest embodiments, the blisters of the present invention willbe attached to the backing material directly, with no additionalmaterials between the blister and the backing material. For example, inan embodiment wherein the outer rim of the blister is sandwiched betweenthe first sheet and second sheet (or top folded layer and bottom foldedlayer), there may be no need for adhesive between the two layers. Inother embodiments, adhesive, glue, or any other means discussed hereinmay be used to enhance any portions of the attachment.

In various embodiments, the flat sheet of polymeric material maycomprise any plastic material such as PET, PVC, PS, HDPE or LDPE asdescribed previously in this disclosure. The predetermined shape of step(a) may be cut out of, for example, a flat sheet of plastic, and thepredetermined shape may be such as those shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Inparticular, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 demonstrate that in those embodiments, thepredetermined shape comprises creases or scores 6 that may be cut orformed either by hand or by machine (for example, a custom tool or asteel rule die) and then folded either by hand or by machine (forexample, a custom tool or a steel rule die) into the desiredthree-dimensional shape before insertion into the backing material.

When the die is folded or otherwise formed into the desiredthree-dimensional shape, the folding may generally follow the creases,marks or scores 6 previously provided. The flaps 5 may be folded inwardto “force” the blister into the desired three-dimensional shape. Incertain embodiments, the flaps 5 may be covered with adhesive materialsuch as glue, tape, gum or the other adhesives described previously inthe present disclosure, at any point during the methods describedherein, to aid in the formation of the three-dimensional shape of theblister. The flaps 5 may be adhered to the inside or outside of the sidefaces 7 of the blister. In certain embodiments, the polymeric materialis material that is coated or otherwise treated such that it will adhereupon the application of pressure, heat or water.

In various embodiments, step (f) comprises trapping and/or sandwichingthe blister into the hole or opening; that is, the outer rim of theblister is sandwiched between the top folded layer and the bottom foldedlayer. In other embodiments, step (f) comprises adhering the outer rim 1of the blister to the top surface of the top folded layer—that is, theside of the top folded layer that faces the customer when the package isin its state for commercial use (containing a product in the space orpocket of the blister), such that the outer rim may or may not be seenwhen a customer sees the displayed package.

In various embodiments, the backing material is cut into a predeterminedsymmetrical shape in step (c) above. In various embodiments, step (d)above comprises folding the piece of backing material in half to providethe top folded layer and the bottom folded layer. In some embodiments,each of the top folding layer and bottom folding layer is one half thearea of the predetermined shape of backing material. In variousembodiments, the backing material comprises a plastic or other polymericmaterial, e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyvinyl chloride(PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene such as high density polyethylene(HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE) or any other polymeric materialthat is capable of being cut from a sheet and used as a backing Invarious embodiments, the backing material comprises paper or a heavypaper product such as poster board, cardboard or cardstock.

In various embodiments, any steps of the methods of the presentinvention, including any one or more steps (a) through (f), areundertaken either by a machine (e.g., by a custom tool, e.g., steel ruledie) or by a person (i.e., by hand). For example, the methods of thepresent invention may comprise any of steps (a) through (f) performed bya machine such as a custom tool, e.g., a steel rule die or the like.

In certain embodiments, a method of the present invention comprises oneor more custom tools in any of the steps previously described. Forexample, in one embodiment, a first custom tool cuts a piece of backingmaterial into a predetermined shape, a second custom tool cuts a pieceof polymeric material into a predetermined shape, a third tool cuts ahole or opening into a portion of the backing material, a fourth toolfolds the backing material, and a fifth tool folds the piece ofpolymeric material to provide the three dimensional blister, and a sixthtool inserts the blister into the hole or opening within the backingmaterial.

In other embodiments, any combination of the above actions may becombined into a single custom tool, or more than one custom tool. Forexample, the same tool may cut the piece of backing material into apredetermined shape and cut the hole or opening into the backingmaterial; or the same tool may first fold the backing material and thencut the hole or opening into the top folded layer.

As another example, the same tool may fold the polymeric material into athree dimensional blister and insert the blister into the hole oropening in the backing material, followed by folding the backingmaterial into a top folded layer and bottom folded layer. Additionally,the steps above may be performed in any order. Order of the steps isimmaterial as long as a skilled artisan is motivated to add efficiencyto the processes and methods described herein.

In still other embodiments, one or more (or all) of the steps may bedone manually; or any combination of manual and machine-driven methodsfor performing the required steps may be employed, without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the present invention.

The materials and methods described herein exhibit many advantages overthose currently available. For example, words, logos or artwork may beprinted directly on the blister according to the manufacturer'scommercial needs, as there is no fear of distortion of the polymericmaterial, since in various embodiments the shape of the blister isformed by cutting polymeric material and folding it, rather thanproducing it via thermal methods or vacuum. This will save many stepsand much expense in the manufacturing methods of the present invention,and may provide a commercial advantage over methods known in the art.Moreover, the methods of the present invention can be undertaken withoutexpending energy to heat up thermoplastic materials or preparing molds.All of these advantages, as well as others that may become apparent uponuse, will lead to significant reduction of costs and waste.

1. A packaging article comprising a blister formed of transparent ortranslucent polymeric material attached to a backing material.
 2. Thepackaging article of claim 1, wherein the backing material comprisesplastic, paper, cardboard or cardstock.
 3. The packaging article ofclaim 1, wherein the backing material comprises a first sheet and asecond sheet, wherein the blister is sandwiched between the first sheetand the second sheet.
 4. The packaging article of claim 3, wherein thefirst sheet and the second sheet are each a portion of a single sheet ofbacking material that is folded such that the first sheet is a topfolded layer, and the second sheet is a bottom folded layer.
 5. Thepackaging article of claim 1, wherein the blister comprises at least oneedge.
 6. The packaging article of claim 5, wherein the at least one edgecomprises at least one rim.
 7. The packaging article of claim 6, whereinthe at least one rim is sandwiched between the first sheet and thesecond sheet.
 8. A method of forming a packaging article, the methodcomprising the steps of: (a) cutting a predetermined shape out of asheet of transparent or translucent polymeric material; (b) scoring,creasing or folding the material to form a three-dimensional blisterhaving an open end, at least one outer edge and at least one outer rimon the at least one outer edge; (c) cutting a piece of backing materialinto a predetermined shape; (d) folding the piece of backing material toprovide a top folded layer and a bottom folded layer; (e) cutting a holeor opening into the top folded layer; (f) inserting the blister into thehole or opening; and (g) attaching the at least one outer rim to the topfolded layer or bottom folded layer.
 9. A method of forming a packagingarticle, the method comprising the steps of: (a) cutting a predeterminedshape out of a sheet of transparent or translucent polymeric material;(b) scoring, creasing or folding the material to form athree-dimensional blister having an open end, at least one outer edgeand at least one outer rim on the at least one outer edge; (c) obtaininga first sheet of backing material and a second sheet of backingmaterial; (d) cutting or punching a hole or opening into the firstsheet; (f) inserting the blister into the hole or opening; and (g)sandwiching the blister between the first sheet and the second sheet byengaging the at least one outer rim between the first sheet and thesecond sheet.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one outerrim is attached to the first sheet.
 11. The method of claim 9, whereinthe at least one outer rim is attached to the second sheet.